Diego Simeone's New Atletico Madrid Contract Is a Big Boost for Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres walked out onto the turf at the Vicente Calderon. Wearing an Atletico Madrid shirt, he strode to the middle underneath sunny skies on a day of expectation in the Spanish capital.

But Torres was on his own. None of his team-mates walked out with him. There weren't any opponents waiting. No referees to be seen. No back-room staff. No analysts. No ballboys.

No game.

Yet 45,000 people stood in the stands anyway—more than the number that is seen for any matchday at Chelsea or Tottenham and the same amount that populates Liverpool's Anfield each weekend.

By any measure, it was a colossal crowd. A buoyant one. Kind of like those seen for Real Madrid's Galacticos at the Bernabeu.

And it had gathered to welcome a low-cost loan signing who'd endured four wretched years prior to his arrival.

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In the middle of the Calderon, Torres waved to the crowd, played a game of keepy-uppy, posed for photos, kicked balls into the stands, did a lap of honour, embraced his children, smiled a lot. 

Reyes or "Kings" Day had come early on the banks of the Manzanares. Soaking it up was Torres, who might have become the most celebrated loan signing in football's history.

And he was there because of Diego Simeone.

It was the Argentinian who'd really pushed for the club to pursue Torres. A former team-mate turned Atletico "god" had been instrumental in bringing back "The Kid," Atleti's prodigal son. 

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"This is a move that Simeone has driven. He wanted Torres in the summer, but Atletico were unable to make the deal happen," wrote ESPN FC's Sid Lowe.

Lowe continued:

"

Now they have been able to do so, and this signing comes with a promise attached that shows how important it was for the manager. 

According to Javier Matallanas, a journalist at AS and a man who is extremely well-connected at Atletico Madrid and with Torres' camp, when the club agreed to try to sign the player, Simeone promised that he would stay next season too, having previously considered walking away at the end of this campaign. Matallanas says that promise was made to the club and to Torres himself. This is Simeone's decision. Not all the signings are, but this was. The prospect of bringing back Torres -- a former teammate and a friend -- was an especially seductive one for him.

"

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Now the story has seen a new development. After bringing back "El Nino," Simeone has extended his stay at the Vicente Calderon by five years, penning a new deal with Atletico Madrid until 2020 and prompting another round of celebrations in one half of the capital.

It's a massive step forward for Atleti. One that can't be understated.

Though Torres' return was emotionally significant, Simeone's new contract might be the most important piece of business the club has made in decades.  

An outfit that has been steadily building has just secured its future. 

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But the announcement of the Argentinian's stay is also very important for Torres.

Since returning, the Spaniard has looked greatly revitalised. Not a new player or a reborn player, just a happier one. He is a player at ease, the owner of a sense of calm and belonging.

In limited opportunities, he's provided a spark to Los Colchoneros. He's given competition to Mario Mandzukic. He's run hard, harassed defenders, led counter-attacks, fought for everything in the air.

In short, he's shown the sort of commitment and intensity that defines Simeone's Atletico. And he's scored goals while doing so, grabbing two against Real Madrid and another against Barcelona.

Yet it's not just the return to his boyhood club that's done it. He's been helped by a manager who's also a friend. A former team-mate who knows him as a person as well as a footballer.

Simeone understands Torres' character. He knows what motivates him and how to appeal to him as a competitor.

And he's a manager who wants him, who believes in him. 

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Because of that, Torres' previously spiralling career still has a future. Though we're never going to see Torres circa 2007 again, thanks to Simeone, he has a purpose once more.

Better still, he has it at Atletico Madrid. At home.

And remember, he's still only 31. A veteran, yes, but not old. Experienced but not spent. 

He's more than two years younger than Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the same age as Arjen Robben and Carlos Tevez. He's just a year older than Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Of course, he's never going to attain that sort of level. But just like those names, with the right environment, in the right place, he can show that his 30s aren't a barrier to effectiveness. Not a barrier to contributing, to scoring. 

In January, Simeone gave Torres that environment he needed. And it's worked.

Now, with a new contract, he's ensured it will remain intact.